Crossbow deer kill once again outpaces the vertical bow harvest in Wisconsin

A crossbow is sighted-in at a range.(Photo: Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

For the second consecutive year, hunters using crossbows killed more white-tailed deer in Wisconsin than those using vertical bows, according to 2018 preliminary data from the Department of Natural Resources.

Use of crossbows in Wisconsin has increased since a 2013 state law was passed to allow all license buyers, regardless of age or physical ability, to use the equipment for deer hunting.

The 2018 bow hunting seasons opened Sept. 15 and ended last Sunday in most of Wisconsin. An update of the data Tuesday provided the first look at the season-long harvest figures.

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A crossbow, a quiver of arrows and a cocking device are shown on a table at Racine Instinctive Bowmen in Sturtevant.(Photo: Paul A. Smith / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

It was just the second time in state history (the first was 2017) the crossbow deer kill exceeded the vertical bow take.

The difference isn't a surprise since it continues a trend observed since 2014.

However, the 2018 data are notable because they show the gap is widening between crossbow and vertical bow harvests. In addition, they reveal a continuing shift in participation toward crossbows and away from vertical bows.

Crossbows are easier to use, since they are pre-cocked and ready to shoot when game appears. In addition, many are affixed with telescopic sights.

For 2018, crossbows represented 54 percent of the Wisconsin bow deer harvest, up from 51 percent in 2017, 45 percent in 2016, 39 percent in 2015 and 33 percent in 2014.

Although some hunters have criticized crossbow users of targeting only bucks, in 2018 the proportion of antlered versus antlerless deer taken by crossbow users was nearly identical to that of vertical bow users (55/45 for crossbows and 54/46 for vertical bows).

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A deer hunter carries a crossbow as he walks to a stand in Marquette County.(Photo: Paul A. Smith / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The combined bow buck kill this season of 47,433 was an 11 percent decline from the record of 53,184 set in 2017.

When it comes to total deer kill in Wisconsin, the firearm seasons (nine-day gun, muzzleloader, youth, December antlerless and Holiday Hunt) continue to dominate the harvest. In 2018, gun hunters registered 239,296 deer, of which 110,792 were bucks and 128,504 (or 54%) were antlerless.

Crossbow license sales are one of the only areas of growth among Wisconsin hunting licenses.

Tens of thousands of additional hunters are also authorized to use crossbows in Wisconsin, including the 53,664 purchasers of the conservation patron license.

According to a DNR report, crossbow license buyers are older (average age of 52) than archery hunters (39).

In its report, the agency stated "the opportunity to use crossbows may be allowing more hunters to be retained and re-engaged in deer hunting later in life."

A participant prepares to shoot a crossbow at the 19th annual Women in the Outdoors weekend.(Photo: Howard Wohlgefahrt)

The rise in crossbow license sales has failed to result in an increase in total license sales, however, and is likely more due to established hunters switching gear than recruiting new participants.

Total Wisconsin deer hunting licenses in 2018 fell 2.5 percent to 803,772, according to DNR figures, continuing a long-term decline.

The total includes gun, vertical bow (archer), crossbow, conservation patron and sports licenses.

The 2018 deer harvest data are preliminary because the bow seasons continue through Jan. 31 in some management units. However, the deer kill over the remaining weeks is expected to number in the hundreds and is unlikely to change the established harvest patterns.